WKU News

Members of the WKU Model Arab League team (from left) are Brenna Mathews, Arabic and Political Science major from Frankfort; Sarah Beth Sarver, Arabic and Computer Science major from Glendale; Emma White, Arabic and Criminology major from London; Hannah Chaney, Arabic and Biology major from Louisville; and Dr. David DiMeo, faculty advisor from the Department of Modern Languages.

For the fourth year in a row, WKU’s Model Arab League team competed in the Ohio Valley Regional conference Feb 14-16 at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio. 

The conference simulates the sessions of the League of Arab States, with each school representing a member state of the league. This year, WKU represented Somalia, while in the past, the team has been Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. Members of the team are preparing to represent Jordan at the national level competition April 4-7 in Washington, D.C.

“Participating at Model Arab League requires research and preparation,” said head delegate Emma White, an Arabic and Criminology major from London. “You cannot represent your country without knowing the ins and outs of the government, economy and relationships or ties within the region. We are proud and grateful for the opportunity to not only represent Somalia, but WKU as a whole.”

Sarah Beth Sarver, a junior Arabic and Computer Science major from Glendale and a 2018 Gatton Academy graduate, served on the Palestinian Affairs council. “So far, Model Arab League has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my three years of college,” she said. “I was able to represent my university, interact with students from other schools, and learn about international relations in a unique format. It was inspiring to see so many young students tackle the issues facing both the Arab world and the world at large today. I am not aware of another platform that allows students to play such a large and direct role in resolving these issues head on. I can’t wait to go again.”

Based on their performance at the regional competition, members of the team have been invited to participate in the national conference. “While the four participating members vary in their studies, it is incredible to watch the future leaders of the world come together to discuss and solve problems with policy,” White said.

Contact: David DiMeo, (270) 745-6408